Downturn yet to impact Middle East construction suppliers

The global financial crisis and economic downturn have yet to seriously impact suppliers of products and services to the Middle East building and construction sector, according to the organisers of the biggest trade fair for the industry in the Arabian Gulf.

"Exhibition space at The Big 5 - one of the world’s largest shows for the construction industry and associated suppliers – is completely sold out, moreover we still have a waiting list of potential exhibitors," said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of organisers dmg world media Dubai.

The five-day event takes up the entire space of the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 23-27 November 2008 and there will be more than 3,000 exhibiting companies with the organisers expecting more than 50,000 visitors.

Speaking at a press conference in Dubai today (19 November 2008), Walsh said continued demand for space at the show was due to the fact that despite caution over size and timing, huge construction projects will continue to take place across the region on a level unmatched in other parts of the world.

"It would be foolish to suggest that the global financial situation will not impact the region and no doubt some projects will be scaled back," Walsh added. "But the fact remains that the Arabian Gulf is one of the few places in the world where growth is expected to continue with governments supporting major infrastructure projects. That is why the world's suppliers to the construction industry will be exhibiting and attending The Big 5 in record numbers this year."

At the last count, a total of 53 countries will be represented at The Big 5 with Italy and Germany having the biggest pavilions. Italy will have 510 companies represented at the show. The largest ever delegation from Germany will see 370 exhibiting companies.

Other country pavilions include: Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, France, Belgium, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Luxembourg, Korea, Malaysia, Portugal, Malta, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and the Philippines. In addition, there are exhibitors from Bahrain, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United States of America and Vietnam.

"The construction sector and the subcontractor divisions offer enormous potential for German companies," said Oliver Parche, Deputy Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in the UAE, Oman and Qatar. "It is clearly illustrated by the ever increasing number of German exhibitors at The Big 5 that German companies are striving to gain a foothold in this hard fought market."

The Big 5 this year will have a strong sustainability and "green" theme. Products and services that reduce the impact on the environment will be on show at the exhibition – winners of the Gaia Awards - named after the mythical Greek goddess of the earth. Nominations were received from the 3,000 exhibiting companies and a panel of judges representative of the regional community awarded 27 medals of merit and one Gaia gold medal, in the first awards of their kind in the region.

High-performance, energy efficient green building solutions and environmentally friendly technologies will also be highlighted at The Big 5 Technical Conference

The conference takes place at the Monarch Hotel in Dubai on Monday 24 November. "The conference is in response to the introduction by the Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, of a green building directive underscoring Dubai's support for efforts to address global environmental challenges," said Simon Mellor, Vice President Construction for The Big 5 organisers dmg world media.

Compiled in conjunction with Ecospecifier International, a high level panel of speakers has been assembled for the conference who will address green issues such as sustainable communities; district cooling; the design of carbon critical buildings; eco-profiling of buildings; sustainability assessments; and green architecture.

Alongside The Big 5 exhibition will be The Big 5 PMV - The Middle East's premier construction plant, machinery and vehicles at the same venue.

The Big 5 PMV - dedicated to suppliers and manufacturers of construction plant, machinery and vehicles - is returning for the second time in 2008 and will join the Big 5 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Exhibitor numbers have increased by 70% at this year’s Big 5 PMV, 85% of which are international companies.

The Big 5 PMV will feature a huge outdoor arena showcasing outsized equipment, including cranes, excavators, lifting platforms, mobile concrete pumps, dumpers and cement mixers, over an exhibition area of 40,000 square metres.

Louisa Theobald, Group Exhibitions Director of The Big 5 PMV organisers Streamline Marketing, said: "The huge international presence at the show, including nine national pavilions from Spain, Italy, Finland, France, Germany and the USA will offer visitors a unique opportunity to conduct business with many of the top plant, machinery and construction vehicles’ suppliers in the world. There will also be several live demonstrations throughout the week."

For more information about The Big 5 including the latest list of exhibitors, please visit: www.thebig5exhibition.com

About The Big 5 and the exhibition organisers

The Big 5 is organised by dmg world media Dubai Ltd., part of the dmg world media group of companies and is an acknowledged leader in the region’s exhibitions industry since 1999. dmg’s portfolio includes some of the largest exhibitions in the Middle East.

All seven dedicated product sectors in The Big 5 are substantial events in their own right and cover: Building and Construction; Water Technology and Environment; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Cleaning and Maintenance; Glass and Metal; Bathrooms and Ceramics; Marble and Stone. In addition, The Big 5 PMV - the specialist show for plant, heavy machinery and large vehicles will be co-located with The Big 5.

Nathalie Viselé
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Office: +971 4 3652711
Mobile : +971 50 4576525
E-mail: nathalie@smc-pr.com
Web site: www.smc-pr.com

This release was published on openPR.